Nectarine tree named ‘NECTAFLASH’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree denominated ‘NECTAFLASH’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet yellow flesh, with a red pigmentation near the fruit&#39;s skin, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a high percentage of dark red blush on skin surface, on an orange background

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTAFLASH’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NECTAFLASH’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone orange yellow flesh fruits, generally with a red pigmentation near the skin, for fresh market at the end of June or early in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTAFLASH’ yellow nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

‘NECTAFLASH’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 03.30W.109.11.

The ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety results from a pollinated cross between a yellow nectarine tree named ‘NECTABANG’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,494) which was used as the seed parent and the yellow nectarine tree named ‘NECTABELLE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,140) which was uses as the pollen parent.

The ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NECTAFLASH’ yellow nectarine tree blooms at the beginning of February or early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, in 2012, it bloomed between 9^(th) and 15^(th) of March, in 2013 between February 7^(th) and February 17^(th). The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its late date of blooming seems to be highly dependent on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NECTAFLASH’ ripens generally at the end of June or early in July. The time of maturity for consumption is considered early to medium. However, it was observed that its date of maturity seems to be highly dependent on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph that shows a close view of three typical specimens of the fruits of the new variety ‘NECTAFLASH’ at ripening time.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows five typical specimens of the fruit, one of them having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, and stone of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph showing different views of the stone of the new variety and the kernel of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NECTAFLASH’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium. More particularly, the flowering begins at the beginning of February or early in March. The type of flower is non showy with small petal size. Petals are purple pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruit flesh is orange yellow with a red pigmentation near the skin. The fruit skin is very thick, with a luminous dark red blush on an orange background. The stone is clingstone and his size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTABANG’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,494), which is the female parent, ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety blooms 2 days earlier and the fruits of ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety ripen 7 days later than ‘NECTABANG’ fruits. The maturity of ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety is considered early to medium. The fruits color of the new ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety is dark red on 95 to 100 percent of the skin, whereas ‘NECTABANG’ fruits are colored in a dark red on 95 percent of the skin. Moreover, the ‘NECTAFLASH’ fruits form is round and homogenous whereas ‘NECTABANG’ fruits form is round but slightly asymmetrical. Moreover, the fruits of the new variety are more sugary than ‘NECTABANG’ fruits. Indeed, the Brix of the ‘NECTAFLASH’ fruits is between 14 and 16 degrees. In comparison, the Brix of ‘NECTABANG’ fruits is approximately 12 degrees. Concerning now stones of the ‘NECTABANG’ fruits, some of them are split. It is not the case for the stones of the new variety.

Compared to its male parent, which is ‘NECTABELLE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No 21,140) yellow nectarine tree, the new variety ‘NECTAFLASH’ ripens generally 3 weeks later and blooms approximately at the same period or slightly earlier. Both varieties have a non-showy type of flowers, with small petals, and circular leaf glands. The fruit size of ‘NECTAFLASH’ (homogenous 2A-A) is higher than the fruit size of ‘NECTABELLE’ (homogenous A). The color of ‘NECTAFALSH’ fruits can be considered luminous purple dark red on 95 to 100% of the fruit skin on an orange background covering at the most 5% of the skin. In comparison, fruits of ‘NECTABELLE’ are colored with a bright red on an orange background.

Compared to ‘NECTAFUN’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,094) variety, ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety blooms 2 days later. Moreover, the fruits of ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety ripen approximately 5 days earlier than the fruits of ‘NECTAFUN’. The fruits color of the new ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety is dark red on 95 to 100 percent of the skin. On the contrary ‘NECTABANG’ fruits are colored in a bright red on 100 percent of the fruits skin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first             year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height between 310 and 330 cm             including current season shoots length. The tree size is             consistently reduces to 250 cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered strong.         -   Productivity.—Very productive and regular, every year. Fruit             set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit             into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit             set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and             cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches. Thinning of 1 fruits out of 3             was necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning was             necessary every year during the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘NECTAFLASH’ variety has naturally a semi-flared             to semi-upright shape.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages             were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12             degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant             to frosty springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 5.5 and 6.5 centimeters in             diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30.0             centimeters above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels             range in size from approximately 20.0 to 40.0 millimeters in             width, and about 15.0 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered             brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey             201 C or RHS Black 202 C) that is slightly darker that the             lenticels color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branche's and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 7.0             millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 12.0             to 18.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 60             degrees from the horizontal axis.         -   Current season shoots.—Internode length: Generally between             25.0 and 35.0 millimeters. Color of mature branches:             Considered brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown B).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered pale yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to             RHS Yellow Green C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas             the upper part is darker and colored in brown-purple to             brown red (RHS Greyed Purple Group 187 A to RHS Greyed             Purple Group 187 B or RHS Greyed Red 182 A), depending on             the level on the tip. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. The ratio             leaf length/leaf width is 3.71. Leaf length: Approximately             122.0 to 162.0 millimeters with leaf petiole. The medium             length is about 140.8 millimeters without leaf petiole. Leaf             width: Approximately 31.0 to 45.0 millimeters. The medium             width is 38.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Short and pointed.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 137             A to RHS Green 137 B). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS             Green 137 C) than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow             Green 150 D). The color may evolve with maturity.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium to small. Length. —             About 0.8 to 1.2 millimeters. Diameter. — About 1.5             millimeters.         -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS             Yellow Green 144 C to RHS Yellow Green 144 D). Lower             surface. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green 150 C).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered small to medium. Their             length is about 1.5 millimeters and their width is about 1.0             millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 glands per leaf. Type. —             Round. Color. — On young leaves, leaf glands color is             considered a light green (RHS Green 144 B to RHS Green 144             A). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown             (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B). Margins. —             Smooth.         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of             development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round             tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables             dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are             approximately 7.0 to 8.0 millimeters wide and approximately             18.0 to 19.0 millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic             is dependent upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral             stage of development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed             by the sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple             183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B             or RHS Grey Brown Group 199 A near the base). The corolla,             formed by the petals, is generally of medium pink color (RHS             Red Purple 65 B or RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals color shows             an evolution until the end of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the             beginning of February or early in March. The first bloom was             observed on Mar. 9, 2012.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to             other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full             bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices. Thus the full bloom was             observed in 2012, from Mar. 9^(th) until Mar. 15^(th) and             from Feb. 7^(th) to Feb. 17, 2013.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 7 to 11 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a non-showy             type flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered small. Flower diameter at full bloom             is approximately 17.0 to 20.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 35 to 40             flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a high rate             of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered small. Length: Generally             between 11.0 and 14.0 millimeters. Width: Generally 10.0 to             11.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a             purple Pink (RHS Red Purple 61 B to RHS Red Purple 61 C)             when young, becoming slightly darker until the end of             blooming.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a             triangular form, slightly narrow at the base. Length. —             Approximately 2.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 1.0             millimeter. Color. — Purple red (RHS Red Purple 73 B to RHS             Red Purple 73 C).         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly wavy.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally             round-shaped, curved.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to large and             having an average length of approximately 3.0 millimeters.             Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0             millimeters. Color. — Yellow Green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A             to RHS Yellow Green N144 B).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.             Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is golden orange mat             (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to RHS Greyed Red 178 D). The outer             surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed             Purple 187 B) color and yellow green near the base (RHS             Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B).         -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,             fine pubescent texture. Size. — Average. Length. —             Approximately between 6.0 and 7.0 millimeters. Width. —             Approximately between 5.0 and 6.0 millimeters. Form. — Conic             and round at the top. Color. — Both sides of sepals are             colored with a matt Red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS             Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Grey Purple 187 B).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 43 to 49             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Medium in length. Color. — At an early             stage of maturity, anthers are colored orange yellow (RHS             Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B) or orange red             (RHS Red Group N34 A or RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A). The             color may evolve with maturity to turn in a yellow color.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS Yellow Orange 17 C)             which may evolve with maturity. The present variety is             considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 10.0 to 15.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally the             same or slightly higher than the pistil's length. Color:             Considered white (RHS White N155 D) to light pink (RHS Red             Purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple 62 D). The color may become             darker during the blooming.         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.             Length. — Approximately 16.0 to 20.0 millimeters including             the ovary. Generally equal to stamen length, if not slightly             smaller. Color. — Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow             Green Group 151 D). The color evolves during the blooming,             becoming more light (RHS Yellow Green Group 150 D) and             sometimes very slightly pink (RHS Red Group 36 D) at the end             of blooming. Ovary. — The pubescence is absent. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions             (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 16, 2011.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTAFLASH’             variety has an early to medium date of picking, and a             grouped maturity. The maturity is generally grouped within             only one week and the harvest is generally performed in two             runs. Last known picking times carry on Jun. 16^(th) to Jun.             20, 2011, then Jun. 28^(th) to Jul. 4, 2012 and then Jul.             2^(nd) to Jul. 10, 2013.         -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Considered medium.             Average cheek diameter: Approximately 63.0 to 68.0             millimeters. Average axial diameter: Approximately 62.0 to             66.0 millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 160.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Very round and regular, not             pointed. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed             from the suture's plane.         -   Suture.—Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked,             extending from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing             or stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.             Color. — The suture has generally a similar color to the             whole fruit color, a luminous dark red (RHS Greyed Red 187 A             to RHS Greyed Red 187 B).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.         -   Apex.—Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 9.0             millimeters. Average width is about 12.0 millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,             and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,             depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Glabrous. Taste.             — Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.             Tendency to crack. — None observed.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is a luminous dark             red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).             The dark red blush covers 95% to 100% of the fruit skin             surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin             surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.             Ground color. — The ground color covers at the most 5             percent of the fruit skin surface, and is considered orange             (RHS Orange Red N34 A).         -   Fruit stem.—Size: Medium in length, approximately 7.0 to 8.0             millimeters. Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Color:             Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow Green 145             B).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a             long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy,             melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not             fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced. Eating quality. — Considered             very good, aromatic and with a high level of sugars. Flavor.             — Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally between 14.0             and 16.0 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml.             Juice. — Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally             between 14.0 and 16.0 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.             Flesh color. — The flesh is considered orange yellow (RHS             Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B) usually with a             red pigmentation (RHS Orange Red 53 B) near the fruit's             skin. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the             fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions. Length:             Approximately 28.0 to 30.0 millimeters. Width: Approximately             21.0 to 23.0 millimeters. Diameter: Approximately 16.0 to             18.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is short, pointed.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with an ovate-form and             dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced             toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief             is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The             surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent             ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the             apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and             having a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at             mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B to RHS             Greyed Orange 164 C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered medium. Length. —             Approximately 15.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 9.0             millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately 3.0 millimeters.             Form. — Considered flattened and elliptic. Pellicle. — The             pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence. Color. — The             kernel skin is considered orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange             164 A) with slightly darker streaks (RHS Greyed Orange N 167             B). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is white             (RHS White 155 B) and has a bitter tasting. The kernel and             its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘NECTAFLASH’ is considered to be a yellow     nectarine tree of early to medium season of maturity, and which     produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored with     a very luminous dark red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are     excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full     maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their     flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized     as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example).     And they are also useful for both local and very long distance     shipping. -   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation and a long     shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are     preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well     preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new yellow     nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet yellow flesh, with a red pigmentation near the fruit's skin, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a high percentage of dark red blush on skin surface, on an orange background. 